Hot Honey Fried Shrimp Recipe

If you’re craving crispy, crave-worthy seafood with a little kick, Hot Honey Fried Shrimp might just become your new obsession. These golden beauties boast a shattering, spiced crust, juicy shrimp inside, and a swoon-worthy drizzle of hot honey that’s sticky, sweet, and spicy all at once. Whether you’re planning a casual weeknight dinner or an impressive appetizer for friends, this Hot Honey Fried Shrimp recipe delivers the perfect balance of flavor, crunch, and that mouthwatering honeyed heat you’ll be dreaming about long after the last bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Hot Honey Fried Shrimp lies in its simple ingredient list, where each element brings something essential to the symphony—tender shrimp, a spiced dredge, and that irresistible hot honey finish. Let’s set the stage for an unforgettable dish:

• Shrimp: Large, tail-on shrimp deliver juicy bites and a lovely presentation—just be sure they’re peeled and deveined for best results.
• Buttermilk: Acts as a tenderizing marinade, infusing the shrimp with moisture and helping the coating stick with a subtle tang.
• All-purpose flour: Forms the base of our crunchy crust, providing that all-important fried texture.
• Paprika: Gives the flour mix a lovely warmth and vibrant color.
• Garlic powder: Adds savory depth and a punch of flavor directly to the crust.
• Onion powder: Rounds out the seasoning with a little extra aromatic sweetness.
• Kosher salt: Essential for bringing out all the other flavors—don’t skimp!
• Black pepper: Offers just enough subtle sharpness to the coating.
• Cayenne pepper: Brings that gentle heat to back up the hot honey.
• Vegetable oil: Neutral in flavor and perfect for achieving a shatteringly crisp fried finish.
• Hot honey: Either store-bought or homemade, this is the star of the show—sweet, fiery, and luscious.
• Parsley: A sprinkle of chopped parsley adds a burst of freshness and color for the perfect finishing touch.

How to Make Hot Honey Fried Shrimp

Step 1: Marinate the Shrimp in Buttermilk

Begin by placing your cleaned shrimp into a bowl, then pour the buttermilk over them, making sure each one gets a good dunk. Let them soak for at least 15 minutes right on the counter. This step infuses the shrimp with flavor and helps create that juicy, tender bite you’ll love in your Hot Honey Fried Shrimp.

Step 2: Mix the Seasoned Flour Dredge

In another medium bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne. The spices blend to make your coating flavorful and vivid, ensuring every bite of Hot Honey Fried Shrimp delivers both crunch and seasoning.

Step 3: Coat the Shrimp

Working one at a time, lift each shrimp out of the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off. Dredge it generously in the seasoned flour mixture until completely coated, then transfer to a large baking sheet. This layer is what turns golden and crisp in the fryer—don’t skimp!

Step 4: Heat the Oil

Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a large, heavy pot and bring it up to 350°F using a deep-fry or candy thermometer. Proper oil temperature is key here: it ensures a crispy crust without soaking up excess oil, which means perfect Hot Honey Fried Shrimp every time.

Step 5: Fry the Shrimp

Carefully add shrimp to the hot oil in batches, avoiding overcrowding (this keeps the oil temp stable). Fry for 2–3 minutes, turning if needed, until golden and crisp. It happens fast! As soon as they’re ready, use a slotted spoon to move them to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and let the oil return to temperature between batches if needed.

Step 6: Drizzle with Hot Honey

While the shrimp are still hot and crispy, generously drizzle them with hot honey. The sweet and spicy glaze soaks into the crunchy breading, creating that signature Hot Honey Fried Shrimp flavor bomb.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Toss on a sprinkle of chopped parsley for freshness and a pop of color. Now you’re ready to dig in—these are best enjoyed right out of the fryer, steaming hot and perfectly sticky-sweet!

How to Serve Hot Honey Fried Shrimp

Garnishes

A shower of freshly chopped parsley is classic, but don’t stop there! Try a squeeze of fresh lemon over your Hot Honey Fried Shrimp for a zingy hit, or thinly sliced green onions if you want extra crunch and color. Finish with a bit more hot honey at the table for true devotees of that sticky heat.

Side Dishes

Hot Honey Fried Shrimp are fabulous piled onto a platter with classic sides like creamy coleslaw, buttery corn on the cob, or tangy pickles. You could also serve them over a crisp salad, tucked into warm tortillas as spicy shrimp tacos, or alongside fries or potato wedges for a comfort food feast.

Creative Ways to Present

Elevate your Hot Honey Fried Shrimp by serving them stacked on skewers for party appetizers, as a dramatic topper for cheesy grits, or perched on slider buns with a dollop of creamy slaw. They’re even delicious cold, tossed in a lunch salad or stuffed into a po’ boy sandwich for lunch the next day.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover Hot Honey Fried Shrimp (lucky you!), let them cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh and tasty in the refrigerator for up to two days, though their crispy magic is at its peak right after frying.

Freezing

While nothing beats freshly made Hot Honey Fried Shrimp, you can freeze them! Lay cooled shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to a month, perfect for snack emergencies or meal prep.

Reheating

For best results, reheat your shrimp in a 400°F oven or air fryer for about 8–10 minutes, until hot and crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it tends to make the coating soggy—trust me, a quick bake is worth it to recapture that irresistible crunch and revive your Hot Honey Fried Shrimp.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure the shrimp are fully thawed and patted dry before marinating in buttermilk. This helps the coating stick and ensures an even fry for the best Hot Honey Fried Shrimp.

What’s the best oil for frying shrimp?

Go with a neutral oil that can handle high heat, like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. These oils let the flavors of your Hot Honey Fried Shrimp shine without any aftertaste.

Do I have to use hot honey or can I substitute it?

The magic of this dish is in the hot honey glaze, but you can always use regular honey and add a pinch of chili flakes or a splash of hot sauce if hot honey isn’t handy. Just make sure you don’t skip that sweet-heat finish!

How spicy is this dish?

Hot Honey Fried Shrimp has a pleasant, balanced heat—zippy, not overwhelming. You can adjust the cayenne or use a milder hot honey if serving to kids or those sensitive to spice.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend for the dredge, and double-check that your hot honey is gluten-free. With a few tweaks, you can enjoy every crunchy, spicy-sweet bite of gluten-free Hot Honey Fried Shrimp.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly magical about the sweet heat and satisfying crunch of Hot Honey Fried Shrimp—it’s a recipe that delivers way more than the sum of its simple parts. Whether you’re a shrimp fan or just love a great flavor adventure, give this dish a try and watch it become an instant favorite at your table!

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